Swimming pool shelter constituted by dismantlable juxtaposed elements

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a swimming pool shelter ( 1 ) constituted by juxtaposed shelter elements ( 2 ), assembled side by side, in the form of an arch, suitable for being articulated in rotation on themselves so a to be able to half-open said shelter element, characterised in that each shelter element is constituted by the following dismantlable pieces:
         two support pieces ( 3 ),   a central capping piece ( 5 ), the two support pieces ( 3 ) being placed symmetrically relative to said capping piece,   at least two pairs of profiles ( 41 ), each said support piece being connected to said capping piece ( 5 ) by at least two profiles, and   at least two transparent or translucid plates ( 6   a - 6   e ), each being framed and supported by said support piece ( 3 ), said capping piece ( 5 ) and two said profiles ( 41 ).

The present invention relates to said lift-up swimming pool shelters. More particularly, the present invention relates to covers or roofings of swimming pools forming low or mid-height shelters, whereof the distance between the level of the water in the pool and the capping of the shelter is from 1 to 2 metres, preferably at least 1.50 metres.

Shelters of this type are well known. They are generally made of juxtaposed shelter elements, in the longitudinal direction of the swimming pool, each shelter element covering part of the length of the pool over its entire width. In general, each shelter element has a dimension in the length of the pool of around 1 to 2 metres and according to the size of the swimming pool the shelter is made up of 3 to 10 shelter elements, more generally 4 to 6 shelter elements for swimming pools of 8 to 15 metres. Each shelter element comprises two longitudinal support edges resting respectively on the ground or the surface enclosing the two longitudinal opposite edges of the pool of the swimming pool. At least one of said longitudinal support edges of the shelter element is mounted in rotation so as to half-open the shelter element in relevant the other support edge on the side opposite the pool, that is, so as to partially uncover the pool, and the other longitudinal support edge is suitable for cooperating with a device, such as a brace, allowing it to be held in the lifted position.

In the present description <<longitudinal>> and <<transversal>> of the directions corresponding to those of the length and, respectively, width of the pool of the swimming pool, even when these adjectives apply to said shelter element or other constituent pieces.

Lift-up swimming pool shelter elements of this type, in the prior art, are monobloc and delivered pre-mounted or designed to be mounted by professionals on site.

Ex-factory pre-mounted monobloc elements involve costly transport logistics, given the volumes of said elements which extend over a width of generally more than 4 metres and up to 7 metres as a function of the width of the swimming pools, and over distances, in the longitudinal direction of the swimming pool, from generally 1 to 2 metres. On the other hand, their profile, and if necessary their bending, also represent a height of 1 to 2 metres, which in total requires considerable transported volumes and weight during transport.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a swimming pool shelter lift-up, deliverable in detached pieces, in the form of a kit (ready-to-install assembly) forming an overall total compact volume before assembly, and easily put together by a non-qualified person on the installation site.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a shelter whereof the shelter elements, once installed, are easy to assemble relative to one another, and can be stored away from the swimming pool for complete and easy uncovering of the latter. According to this aim of the invention, the shelter elements must be easily installed and easily assembled in juxtaposition, and disassembled in when the swimming pool is in use.

To achieve this, the present invention provides a swimming pool shelter made up of juxtaposed shelter elements, assembled side by side, in the longitudinal direction of the swimming pool, preferably from 3 to 10, more preferably from 4 to 6 shelter elements, each shelter element extending transversally in the form of an arch, to cover the pool of the swimming pool over its entire width, between its two longitudinal support edges resting respectively on the ground or the surface enclosing the two opposite longitudinal edges of the pool of the swimming pool, whereof at least one of said longitudinal support edges is mounted to be articulated in rotation on itself so as to be able to half-open said shelter element, and whereof the other longitudinal support edge of said shelter element is, preferably, suitable for cooperating with a lifting device, such as a brace, suitable for keeping said other support edge of the shelter element in the raised position when said shelter element is half-open by articulation in rotation of one of its longitudinal support edges.

According to the present invention, each shelter element is constituted by the following dismantlable pieces:

-   -   two support pieces, with a support piece at each end of said         shelter element in the transversal direction of the swimming         pool, each said support piece comprising a lower longitudinal         edge corresponding to said longitudinal support edge of said         shelter element, resting on the ground or the surface enclosing         the swimming pool,     -   a central piece constituting the capping of the shelter element,         said capping piece and the two support pieces being placed         symmetrically relative to said capping piece,     -   at least two pairs of profiles, each said support piece being         connected to said capping piece by at least two profiles, said         profiles delimiting the transversal edges of said shelter         element, said profiles being fixed to said capping piece and         support piece reversibly, preferably by nesting of the end of         said profiles and, more preferably, screwing into hollow         recesses of said support piece and capping piece, and     -   at least two transparent or translucid plates, each being framed         and supported by said support piece, said capping piece and two         said profiles.

Each shelter element is assembled into another adjacent shelter element, substantially tightly, by simple overlap of their transversal edges whereof a transversal edge of one comprises external edging forming a gutter, overlapped by the external edging forming retention of the other transversal edge of another adjacent shelter element. Therefore, this prevents separation in the longitudinal direction of the two juxtaposed shelter elements whereof the edgings overlap, ensuring a tight seal between said juxtaposed shelter elements.

Here, “tight seal” means that the water tipped onto the upper external face of the shelter does not penetrate inside the shelter.

It is understood that:

-   -   each said shelter element can be half-opened by pivoting         relative to one of its longitudinal support edges, that is, by         rotation according to an axis of rotation in the said         longitudinal direction situated substantially at ground level         enclosing the pool of the swimming pool, the other longitudinal         support edge then located in a lifted position relative to the         surface enclosing the swimming pool, that is, so as to be able         to partially uncover the pool, and     -   said support pieces and capping piece extend over the entire         length of said shelter element in the longitudinal direction of         the swimming pool, and     -   each profile extends in a plane transversal to the pool, and         cooperates by reversible fixing to an end with an upper         longitudinal edge of a support piece, at an end of said upper         longitudinal edge of the support piece, the other end of the         profile cooperating by reversible fixing with the capping piece.

Said shelter preferably comprises two rails or slides placed on the ground or the surface enclosing the swimming pool, rails or slides on or in which said lower edges of the support pieces are held in a longitudinal position and are suitable for being fixed and blocked in longitudinal rotation and translation reversibly, preferably due to the removable and/or displaceable blocking elements.

More particularly, said profiles comprise a groove forming a rabbet, and the upper longitudinal edges of the support pieces and longitudinal edges of the capping piece comprise grooves forming a rabbet, such that two transparent or translucid plates, preferably made of honeycombed polycarbonate, can be inserted therein and held in position.

Each shelter element is thus constituted by only 3 types of different pieces, specifically the two support pieces of substantially identical general shape, placed symmetrically and suitable for being stacked on one another, the at least 2 profiles of substantially identical form placed symmetrically two by two and suitable for being stacked against each other, as well as a single capping piece, and, even though each element comprises at least 7 pieces, they can be grouped in 3 categories of pieces substantially of the same form in each category, the different pieces of each category able to be stacked against one another, so as to be presented in reduced packaging.

This reduced number of pieces making up each shelter element also comprises installing the different shelter elements and installing the shelter relatively easily by non-qualified personnel.

The bulkiest pieces, specifically said support pieces and capping pieces, are preferably made of plastic which imparts sufficient rigidity, given the form of said pieces, and imparts to them a decreased weight, only the profiles being made of metal, preferably aluminium to impart better rigidity.

More particularly, said support pieces and capping piece have hollow recesses in which the ends of said profiles can nest.

It is understood that said hollow recesses extend transversally to the longitudinal edges of said support pieces and capping pieces and terminate on the latter.

Advantageously, said hollow recesses comprise lateral perforations, cooperating with screws for reversible fixing of the ends of the profiles in said hollow recesses.

Even more particularly, said capping pieces and support pieces are made of a shell of roto-moulded plastic, filled with stiffening foam.

In a particular embodiment, said support pieces comprise a lower part substantially vertical or slightly inclined relative to the vertical and constituting a side wall, and an upper part much more inclined relative to the vertical, constituting the start of roofing.

Said support pieces preferably comprise at least one opening, if required at least one opening in each of said lower parts and upper parts, said opening being suitable for receiving said transparent plates, such as polycarbonate plates.

The end-to-end ends of two metallic profiles, preferably made of aluminium, are fixed to one another by nesting in the two openings opposite the same metallic sleeve and said capping piece, because of its form, covers and thus guides and holds in a parallel position the two sleeves ensuring joining respectively of the two pairs of profiles.

It is understood that the sleeves have a cross-section, in the longitudinal direction of the pool, of a form substantially identical to the cross-section of said profiles, such that said ends of said sleeves can nest inside the profiles, the latter being held in position inside the sleeves (here the transversal cross-section of the profiles, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the swimming pool).

More particularly, said capping piece comprises end edges extending in the transversal direction, known as transversal edges, forming half shells covering said metallic sleeves.

Each said shelter element and said profile has, in transversal cross-section, an arched, curved profile or angular with roof hips, at least in part, that is, with arched, curved portions and/or, respectively, straight and placed angularly.

Again, the support pieces advantageously form side walls comprising at least a vertical part or a part inclined by an angle al greater than 60° relative to the horizontal, such that the upper longitudinal edge of said support pieces is located at a height relative to its lower longitudinal edge when said shelter element is in a position to cover the swimming pool, representing at least a third, preferably at least half, of the difference in level between the lower edge of said support pieces and the longitudinal edge of the capping piece, specifically at least a third, preferably at least half, of substantially the total height of said shelter element, the profiles have several rectilinear cross-sections each inclined relative to the horizontal by a different angle decreasing from the cross-section of the profile to the side of its reversible fixing to said support piece, to the cross-section of the profile to the side of its reversible fixing to said capping piece, the maximal angle α2 of the cross-section of the profile to the side of its reversible fixing to said support piece being less than 45°, preferably less than 30°, when said shelter element is assembled and in position to cover the swimming pool.

Even more particularly, said support pieces comprise a lower part comprising said lower edge of the support piece, forming a side wall extending substantially in a plane vertical or slightly inclined by an angle al greater than 60° relative to the horizontal, and an upper part comprising the upper edge of the support piece cooperating with said profiles, said upper part extending substantially in a plane inclined by an angle α2 less than 45°, preferably less than 30° relative to the horizontal.

It is understood that:

-   -   the angle between the planes in which said upper and lower parts         extend is greater than 90° and less than 150°, preferably from         120 to 150°, and     -   said upper part of said support piece forms, with the profiles,         capping piece and transparent plate, the roofing of the shelter         between the two side walls making up the lower parts of the         support piece.

More particularly, the capping piece extends in a substantially horizontal plane.

The metallic profiles preferably have a profile in transversal cross-section, forming at least two roof hips, preferably at least three roof hips.

The form of roof hips of said profiles, when metallic, allows them to be made by pressing, which is less costly than bending metallic profiles by rolling.

The inclination relative to the horizontal of the different roof hips of the profile decreases from its end cooperating with a said base piece, as far as its end cooperating with said capping piece.

Each shelter element comprises at least one said support piece comprising at least one lifting brace, said brace being, for example, fixed at an end in articulation on the internal face of said support piece and suitable to be blocked at its other end in the groove of a guide rail explained hereinbelow, or on the ground or the surface enclosing the pool or on a piece fixed to the ground or on the surface, such that, when said support piece is in the lowered and closed, the lifting brace is folded back against the support piece, and, when said support piece is in the hoisted position, the lifting brace is unfolded by rotation about said articulation.

Said support pieces advantageously comprise lifting grips on their external faces, their walls preferably having hollows forming said grips.

More particularly, each shelter element comprises at least at the level of said profiles, along its two transversal edges, or a first external edging having a projecting form forming a gutter, or second external edging having a projecting form forming the same reversed gutter (that is, whereof the concave part is turned down), such that said second external edgings forming a reversed gutter on either side of a shelter element cooperate with said first external edgings forming gutters of the two juxtaposed shelter elements, said reversed gutters nesting with said gutters (that is, lodging therein), preventing separation of two juxtaposed shelter elements relative to one another in a longitudinal translation, when said first and second external transversal edgings thus cooperate tightly when assembled.

However, this embodiment enables the tilting open of one shelter element out of two, that is, the one having said external edgings in the form of a reversed gutter.

These said first and second edgings are thus, on the one hand, assembly means retaining said two juxtaposed shelter elements and, on the other hand, constitute gutters ensuring a proper tight seal of the shelter, once the two juxtaposed shelter elements are assembled by cooperation of said first and second external transversal edgings.

Advantageously, said first and second external edgings of the transversal edges of said juxtaposed shelter elements are constituted by first and second external edgings of the transversal edges of said profiles, but also of those of said support pieces and capping pieces constituting said shelter element.

Said first and second external transversal edgings come from said support pieces, profiles and, respectively, capping pieces.

More precisely, if required, said sleeves also comprise said first and second transversal external edgings forming said transversal edges at the level of the capping piece.

In an embodiment, said lower longitudinal edges of the support pieces comprise a projecting part or a hollow part, cooperating with a part or complementary form either hollow or respectively projecting, of a slide or guide rail fixed to the ground or on the surface enclosing the swimming pool, and said complementary parts of the lower longitudinal edge of the support piece and, respectively, of the rail or guide slide, are held fixed to one another by a removable blocking piece (that is, allowing optional blockage according to its position), and said complementary male and female parts of the lower edge of the support piece and of the rail or guide slide allow, if required, articulation in variable rotation of said support piece relative to the ground and or to the surface enclosing the swimming pool, preferably after release of said blocking piece.

Another aim of the present invention is an installation-ready assembly of a swimming pool shelter according to the invention, characterised in that it comprises said support pieces, capping pieces, profiles, plates and said lifting device, and, if required, said guide rails.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description, given by way of illustration and non-limiting, in reference to the attached figures in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a swimming pool shelter 1 according to the invention, made up of a plurality of juxtaposed shelter elements 2, placed over the pool 11 of a swimming pool.

FIG. 2 illustrates a shelter with a shelter element on two, pivoted in the half-open position.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate in detail the different constituent pieces and the installing of a shelter element 2, the shelter element of FIG. 3A being an end shelter element fitted with a closure piece 14.

FIG. 3C is a side elevation showing part of a transversal edge of a shelter element, with a support piece 3, a linking profile 41 and a capping piece 5, the linking profile 41 ensuring linking between the support piece 3 and the capping piece 5.

FIG. 4 illustrates a support piece 3 in perspective.

FIG. 5 illustrates the detail on the one hand of the capping piece 5 in perspective, at the level of its cooperation with sleeves 7 ensuring linking between the capping piece and the profiles 41 or 42.

FIG. 6A illustrates, in section, cooperation in overlap of two edgings external projecting from the profiles of the transversal edges vis-à-vis two shelter elements, the external edging 422 forming a hook retained by the external edging 411 in the form of a gutter.

FIG. 6B illustrates a sleeve 7 in section.

FIG. 7 illustrates a detail of the articulation in rotation of the base of a support piece 3 at the level of a guide rail 8, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the base of a lifting piece 10 articulated in rotation.

FIGS. 8A and 8B have a lifting brace 10 in the half-open position of a said shelter element (FIG. 8A), and in the closing position of said shelter element (FIG. 8B).

The swimming pool shelter 1 according to the present invention is constituted by 7 shelter elements 2 juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction XX of the pool 11, resting on rails 8 along the longitudinal edges of the pool.

Each shelter element 2 is constituted by two support pieces 3 placed symmetrically, the base 30 a of which rests on the guide rail 8.

Each shelter element 2 has a general arch form, covering part of the length of the swimming pool, though over its entire width in the transversal direction YY of the pool of the swimming pool.

Each shelter element 2 can, for example, have a dimension in the longitudinal direction XX from 1 to 2 metres, more particularly around 1.20 m, and be arched for the capping piece to rise to a height of 1 to 2 metres, preferably around 1.50 m, in height relative to the level of the water of the pool or the level of the bases 30 a of said support pieces 3.

Each shelter element 2 comprises a capping piece 5 extending in the longitudinal direction XX of the pool, over the same distance as said support pieces 3, positioned centrally at the level of the capping of said shelter element.

Each support piece 3 is connected to the capping piece by two profiles 41 delimiting the transversal edges of said shelter element. Said profiles 41 cooperate, directly or indirectly, with hollow recesses 311 placed on the transversal edges opposite a support piece, and hollow recesses 511, also placed at the ends, in the transversal direction YY, of the transversal edges 51 turned to the side of the support piece to which they must be connected.

It is understood that each capping piece comprises two hollow recesses 511 at the opposite ends of their transversal edges 51 in the direction XX and each turned towards a profile 41 ensuring joining respectively to each of the two support pieces 3 placed symmetrically relative to the capping piece 5.

The opposite ends in the transversal direction YY, specifically the ends 40 a and 40 b of a profile 41, cooperate respectively with hollow recesses 311 of a support piece 3 and 511 of a capping piece 5. The ends 40 b of the profiles 41 cooperate with said recesses 511 of the capping piece 5 by way of sleeves 7, which allow improved stiffening of the linking between the piece capping 5 and the profile 41.

This stiffening is useful since the support pieces 3 and capping pieces 5 are made up of a shell of roto-moulded plastic material (polypropylene), preferably filled with synthetic stiffening foam (outside the hollow recesses). Only the profiles 41 are made of metal, more particularly aluminium.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, it is the end-to-end ends of two metallic profiles 41 which are fixed to one another by nesting in the openings opposite the same metallic sleeve 7. The metallic sleeves 7 have a cross-section, in the longitudinal direction of the pool, of a form substantially identical to the cross-section of said profiles, such that the ends 40 b of said profiles can cover the ends of the sleeves 7 nesting inside said profiles, said profiles thus being held in position inside the sleeves. On the other hand, the capping piece 5 comprises, at the level of its transversal end edges 51, hollow recesses 511 in the form of a half-shell covering said sleeves and metallic profiles.

At the level of the joining between the ends 40 a of the profiles 41 and the respective hollow recesses 311 of the ends of the transversal edges 31 of the support pieces 3, a metallic sleeve is not used to the extent where the hollow recesses 311 are sufficient to fully and rigidly hold the ends 40 a of said profiles 41.

Each capping piece 5 is connected to each support piece 3 by two profiles 41. Each shelter element thus comprises two profiles 41 placed, in the transversal direction YY, symmetrically relative to the axis XX of the capping piece 5, the two profiles 41 forming part of a first transversal edge of each shelter element 2, and the two other profiles 41, ensuring linking between each capping piece 5 and the two support pieces 3 placed symmetrically which constitute the second transversal edge to the transversal edge opposite the shelter element 2, are constituted by profiles of the same structure as those 41 of the first transversal edge.

FIG. 6 shows how the external edgings 411, 422 of two profiles 41 a and 41 b of two juxtaposed shelter elements cooperate when assembled by nesting. The profiles 41 a of a first shelter element have external edging projecting 411 with the end in the longitudinal direction XX which is incurved upwards forming a gutter, whereas the profile 41 b vis-à-vis, constituting the transversal edge of a juxtaposed shelter element 2, has projecting external edging 422 of the same incurved form but turned down, thus forming a sort of hook which, when it covers the external edging 411, is retained by the latter in case of shift in the longitudinal direction XX.

The two profiles 41 a and 41 b are made from the same piece 41, but the latter is simply reversed by 180°, as shown in FIG. 6A, according to which it is assembled on a first shelter element or, respectively, a second shelter element juxtaposed to the first shelter element.

FIG. 6A illustrates that profiles 41 a and 41 b have on their internal edges, that is, turned towards the internal space between two profiles of the same shelter element, a rabbet 42 which keeps in position transparent plates 6 a to 6 e made of honeycombed polycarbonate illustrated in FIG. 3A. Similarly, rabbets indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5 are provided in the upper longitudinal edges 30 b of each support piece and the two longitudinal edges 5 a placed symmetrically relative to the axis XX of each capping piece 5. Therefore, when the shelter element is fully assembled, the transparent plates 6 a to 6e are held perfectly in position.

FIG. 3B illustrates profiles 41 which have, in transversal cross-section, that is, in the direction YY, a profile with 5 roof hips 4 a-4 e having a different inclination relative to the horizontal, the inclination diminishing between the cross-sections 4 a bordering the first plate 6 a held by each support piece 3 and the last cross-section 4 e enclosing the plate 6 e held by each capping piece 5.

The first roof hip 4 a to the side of the capping piece 3 is inclined by the same angle α2 relative to the horizontal as that of the upper part 3 b of the support piece 3, described herein below, the following roof hip at 4 b being inclined by an angle α3 less than α2 and the last roof hip 4 e being substantially horizontal like the capping piece 5, when said shelter element is installed in the position covering the swimming pool.

It is thus understood that the first cross-section 4 a of the profile 41 is in the extension of the upper part 3 b of the support piece 3 described hereinbelow.

In all embodiments, it is understood that the capping piece is placed substantially horizontally.

In FIGS. 3C and 4, each support piece 3 comprises a slightly inclined 3 a part, forming the side walls of the swimming pool shelter 1, inclined here by an angle al greater than 60° relative to the horizontal, and an upper part 3 b, more slightly inclined by an angle α2 less than 30° relative to the horizontal, forming the start of roofing of said shelter element. The lower end of the lower part 3 b of the support piece 3 is constituted by the lower longitudinal edge 30 a of the support piece 3. The upper end of the support piece 3, which corresponds also to the end closest to the capping piece 5, corresponds to the upper longitudinal edge 30 b of the support piece 3. The values of the angles α1 and α2, given hereinabove relative to the horizontal, extend for a shelter element whereof the two support pieces rest on the ground, such that said shelter element completely covers the swimming pool.

In an embodiment, the height H1 between the lower longitudinal edge 30 a and the upper longitudinal edge 30 of the support piece 3, illustrates a height of around 0.8 m by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example of the present invention.

Each support piece 3 comprises two perforated zones, for receiving transparent or translucid plates 3 a 1 and, respectively 3 b 1, placed respectively in the lower part 3 a and upper part 3 b of the support piece 3. These rectangular perforations 3 a 1 and 3 b 1 are separated by a full median zone 3 c, receiving two hollow forms forming a grip 3 c 1 for handling the shelter element 2, as will be explained hereinbelow.

It is understood that the angle (180-α1+α2) between the planes in which said lower 3 a and upper 3 b parts of the support piece 3 extend, is greater than 90°, preferably between 120 and 150°.

FIG. 5 also shows a central zone 50 of the capping piece 5 which is a zone reinforced by multiple bridging connecting the two external shells of this capping piece.

Each support piece 3, as illustrated in FIG. 4, also has external transversal edgings 31 in the two opposite directions in the longitudinal direction XX, also respectively forming gutters and hooks, in the manner of the external edgings projecting 411 and 422 of the profiles situated to the same side in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, at the level of the transversal opposite edges 51 of said capping pieces, in the form of half-shells, covering said sleeves 7, the sleeves 7 are placed in the inverse direction, so that they have, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, an outer edging 71, of the same form as the external edgings 411 and 422 of the profiles 41 a and 41 b of FIG. 6A, placed in the inverse direction to form a gutter on the transversal end edge of the capping piece of a first shelter element and, inversely, a transversal end edge in the form of a hook overlapping said gutter on the transversal edge vis-à-vis a shelter element juxtaposed at the level of the capping piece 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates the detail of the guide rail 8 which comprises a longitudinal groove 8 a, having a profile in transversal cross-section in a circular part, for cooperating with a projecting part 30 c of the lower longitudinal support edge 30 a of the support piece 3, this projecting part 30 c also having a profile in transversal cross-section with circular parts for cooperating in rotation with the groove 8 a having variable articulation in rotation. The support piece 3 is held firmly on the guide rail 8 by blockage keys 9 fixed to the guide rail by screws and bolts 91 which, when unscrewed, shift the piece 9, either by engagement inside the cavities 92, also at the base of the support piece 3 along its longitudinal edge 30 a, so that the piece 9 inserted in the recess 92 blocks the support piece 3, or on the contrary, by disengaging the blocking piece 9 from the cavity 92 to lift the support piece 3 by means of grips 3 c 1 to half-open the shelter element 2, the latter pivoting in rotation at the level of its opposite longitudinal edge 30 a kept blocked by the pieces 9 on the guide rail 8 of the longitudinal edge opposite the swimming pool. On the side where the shelter element 2 can be half-open, the latter cooperates with a lifting brace 10 such as illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIGS. 8A and 8B.

Each shelter element comprises at least one said support piece 3 comprising at least one lifting brace 10, constituted by two incurved rods 101, 102 of the same curvature, whereof one end 101 a, 102 a of each of the two rods is fixed to the other in articulation 111, the other end 102 b of a rod 102 being fixed in articulation 115 on a piece 113 near the lower edge 30 a of said support piece and the other end 101 b of the other rod 101 being fixed in articulation 114 on a piece in the form of a square 112 fixed to the ground on which is also fixed the guide rail 8, such that when said support piece is in the lowered closed position the two said rods 101, 102 forming the lifting brace 10 are folded against each other, and, when said support piece is in the high raised position the two rods of the lifting brace are unfolded relative to one another, by rotation about said articulation 111.

It is understood that said rods are interconnected and articulated in rotation relative to one another at one of their ends. The two rods have the same form and preferably have substantially the same transversal profile as said support piece, so as to create minimal bulkiness inside the shelter once said brace is folded back against the internal wall of said support piece. The two rods of the lifting brace preferably also cooperate by a spring whereof the extension facilitates opening of the shelter element, said spring being held in compression when the two rods are folded back against one another by the effect of the weight of the shelter element in the low cover position.

The number and dimension of the shelter elements 2 depend on the dimensions of the swimming pool.

In total, all the elements for forming the swimming pool illustrate a parcel of 2 to 4 m³ of equipment, in the form of a kit, for a swimming pool in size ranging from 7 to 12 metres in length and from 4 to 6 metres in width.

Bending the profiles 41 raises the capping piece relative to the upper longitudinal edge 30 b of the support pieces, such that the height H between the capping piece and the lower longitudinal edge 30 a of the support pieces is 1.30 to 2 m, preferably around 1.50 m.

FIGS. 2 and 3B illustrate panels 14 placed against the support pieces 3 on the two end shelter elements. These panels 14, which are also cut-outs 141, keep a removable closing fabric held fixed on their internal edgings 142, the former also held at the level of the profiles 41 of the transversal end edges of the two shelter end elements. 

1. A swimming pool shelter comprising: juxtaposed shelter elements, assembled side by side, in the longitudinal direction of the swimming pool, each shelter element extending transversally in the form of an arch, so as to cover the pool of the swimming pool over its entire width, between its two longitudinal support edges resting respectively on the ground or the surface enclosing the two longitudinal opposite edges of the pool of the swimming pool, at least one of said longitudinal support edges is mounted to be articulated in rotation on itself to be able to half-open said shelter element, and the other longitudinal support edge of said shelter element is able to cooperate with a lifting device, such as a brace, for holding it in the raised position of said other support edge of the shelter element when said shelter element is half-open by articulation in rotation of one of its longitudinal support edges, wherein each shelter element is constituted by the following dismantlable pieces: two support pieces, with one support piece at each end of said shelter element in the transversal direction of the swimming pool, each said support piece comprising a lower longitudinal edge corresponding to said longitudinal support edge of said shelter element, resting on the ground or the surface enclosing the swimming pool, a central piece constituting the capping of the shelter element, said capping piece, the two support pieces being placed symmetrically relative to said capping piece, at least two pairs of profiles, each said support piece being connected to said capping piece by at least two profiles, said profiles delimiting the transversal edges of said shelter element, said profiles being fixed reversibly to said capping piece and support piece, preferably by nesting of the end of said profiles and, more preferably, screwing into hollow recesses of said support piece and capping piece, and at least two transparent or translucid plates, each being framed and supported by said support piece, said capping piece and two said profiles.
 2. The swimming pool shelter according to claim 1, wherein each shelter element is assembled on another adjacent shelter element, substantially tightly, by simple overlapping of their transversal edges whereof a transversal edge of one comprises external edging forming a gutter, overlapped by the external edging forming retention of the other transversal edge of another adjacent shelter element.
 3. The swimming pool shelter according to claim 1, wherein said shelter comprises two rails or slides placed on the ground or the surface enclosing the swimming pool, rails or slides on or in which said lower edges of the support pieces are held in longitudinal position and are to be fixed and blocked reversibly in longitudinal rotation and translation, preferably due to the removable and/or displaceable blocking elements.
 4. The swimming pool shelter according to claim 1, wherein said support piece and capping piece are made of plastic and said profiles are made of metal, preferably aluminium.
 5. The swimming pool shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support piece and capping piece have hollow recesses in which the ends of said profiles are nested, said hollow recesses preferably comprising lateral perforations for cooperating with screws for reversible fixing of the ends of the profiles in said hollow recesses.
 6. The swimming pool shelter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support pieces form side walls comprising at least one vertical or inclined part by an angle al greater than 60° relative to the horizontal, such that the upper longitudinal edge of said support pieces is situated at a height relative to its lower longitudinal edge when said shelter element is in position to cover the swimming pool, representing at least a third, of the difference in level between the lower edge of said support pieces and the longitudinal edge of the capping piece, specifically at least a third, of substantially the total height of said shelter element, the profiles have several rectilinear cross-sections each inclined relative to the horizontal by a different angle decreasing from the cross-section of the profile to the side of its reversible fixing to said support piece, as far as the cross-section of the profile to the side of its reversible fixing to said capping piece, the maximal angle α2 of the cross-section of the profile to the side of its reversible fixing to said support piece being less than 45°, when said shelter element is assembled and in position to cover the swimming pool.
 7. The swimming pool shelter according to claim 1, wherein said support pieces comprise a lower part comprising said lower edge of the support piece, forming a side wall extending substantially in a vertical plane or slightly inclined by an angle α1 greater than 60° relative to the horizontal, and an upper part comprising the upper edge of the support piece cooperating with said profiles, said upper part extending substantially in a plane inclined by an angle α2 less than 45°, relative to the horizontal.
 8. The swimming pool shelter according to claim 1, wherein said capping piece extends in a substantially horizontal plane and the profiles have a profile in transversal cross-section, forming at least two roof hips, preferably at least three roof hips.
 9. The swimming pool shelter according to claim 2, wherein each shelter element comprises at least at the level of said profiles, along its two transversal edges, either a first external edging having a projecting form forming gutter, or a second edging external having a projecting form, forming the same reversed gutter, such that said second external edgings forming said reversed gutter on each side of a shelter element cooperate with said first external edgings forming gutters of the two juxtaposed shelter elements, said reversed gutters overlapping with said gutters, preventing separation of two juxtaposed shelter elements relative to one another in longitudinal translation, when said first and second external transversal edgings thus cooperate tightly fitting when assembled.
 10. The swimming pool shelter according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal lower edges of the support pieces comprise a projecting or hollow part cooperating with a part of hollow complementary form or, respectively, projecting, of a slide or guide rail fixed to the ground or on the surface enclosing the swimming pool, and said complementary parts of the lower longitudinal edge of the support piece and, respectively, of the rail or guide slide, are held fixed to one another by a removable blocking piece, and said complementary male and female parts of the lower edge of the support piece and of the rail or guide slide enable, variable articulation in rotation of said support piece relative to the ground and or to the surface enclosing the swimming pool after release of said blocking piece.
 11. An installation-ready ensemble of a swimming pool shelter according to claim 1, wherein it comprises said support pieces, capping pieces, profiles, plates and said lifting device. 